Hydrogen and the EPA Power Plant Rule

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Upcoming EPA regulations are expected to allow power plants to execute a historic reduction in their emissions partly by burning hydrogen.

But many questions remain about whether hydrogen will be a viable climate tool: Few power plants today are using it at scale, and some industry observers say that unless it is produced through a “clean” process before it reaches a power plant, it may not make a significant dent in U.S. emissions overall.

Currently, most hydrogen is produced with natural gas. While that “gray” hydrogen may emit little or no carbon at a power plant when burned, giving it an advantage over coal and gas, its production is emissions-intensive.

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EMP2 Meeting and Solar Farm tour in Beloit

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The EMP 2 committee met at the city of Beloit on April 20th.  As part of the meeting the EMP group was able to tour Beloit’s 2 MW solar array.  This array sits on 14.2 acres that the city of Beloit owned and it is expected to produce 4,893 Megawatt hours of energy, which is 10% of the energy demand for the city of Beloit.  Thank you to Jason and Manny for the tour and explanation for everyone that could attend.

City of Sterling’s Substation Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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KMEA had the pleasure to join the city of Sterling at the ribbon cutting for their new substation.  This substation project has doubled the capacity the city can now receive from the transmission provider.  This will also prevent the city from running the power plant during high load situations when the current transformer would not handle the entire load of the city.  Other resiliency improvements will be realized with the addition of this new transformer allowing the city to have back up capabilities when maintenance needs done.  KMEA is proud to be a strategic partner in the project.  Congratulations to the city of Sterling on their upgrades to their community owned utility.

KMU Conference- Award Winners

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At the recent KMU conference our members were well represented winning multiple awards. Congratulations to all of the winners. Great job and we thank you for all your hard work and dedication to your community.

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City of Ashland is Hiring Lineman

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The City of Ashland KS is seeking applicants for the position of electrical lineman. Job responsibility include, but not limited to, the construction and repair of City electrical distribution lines. Prior electrical experience is preferred. Benefits include health insurance, vacation, sick leave, KPERS, and paid holidays, and the salary depends on qualifications and experience. Please contact City Hall at 620-635-2531 or via e-mail at ashland@ucom.net for complete job description and application. Please return completed application and resume to the City of Ashland, 703 Main Street, PO Box 547, Ashland KS 67831. EOE

Kansas EV Infrastructure Call for Projects

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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced that the Kansas Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Program is accepting Project Concept Forms for EV charging projects including Direct-current (DC) Fast Charging along Kansas highways, community charging, or other public EV charging projects.

The timeline is as follows:

  • Call for Projects
    • Project Concept Form is attached
  • Kansas EV charging Call for Projects webinars (optional)
    • Thursday, April 13, at 2 p.m. (CDT) or
    • Friday, April 14, at 10 a.m. (CDT)
  • Deadline to email project concept forms – Friday, May 5
  • Project concept forms will be reviewed in May and June
  • Applications emailed from KDOT to approved sponsors – Monday, June 5
  • Application deadline – Friday, July 21
  • Applications reviewed – July and August
  • EV infrastructure awards announced – September

 

Click HERE for more information.

 

KMEA staff volunteers at APPA Lineworkers Rodeo

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KMEA had the pleasure to volunteer at the APPA Lineworkers Rodeo hosted by Kansas City BPU at National  Agriculture Center & Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas this past weekend. Apprentices from the City of Garden City represented the State of Kansas on the competition. You can see the results here.

Ottawa’s power plant operators visit KMEA office

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Pat Reed, Brian Demoret, and Mark Winter power plant operators for the City of Ottawa met with KMEA’s DA System Operator, DJ Smith on April 5th. They met to discuss various functions that KMEA provides the city of Ottawa. With a particular emphasis on explaining how their energy contracts work and how they help the city. They also went over various market functions and the basics of how the markets work. It was a great opportunity for questions to be asked and an open discussion between KMEA and the Ottawa Operators.

The City of Ottawa has been a KMEA member since 1980 and some of the projects in the City’s portfolio are EMP1, Dogwood, Buckeye, Marshall, GRDA, WAPA, and SPA.

If you are KMEA member city and have power plant operators that are interested in learning more about KMEA operations and its functions, please contact DJ Smith at 913-901-6224.

 

 

 

City of Anthony is Hiring Water/Wastewater Department Head

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The City of Anthony is accepting applications for a full-time Water/Wastewater Department Head.  Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and no criminal record; a valid Class B Commercial driver’s license with tanker and air brake endorsements or obtain within 180 days of employment; and must possess a Class I Wastewater Operator Certification and a Class III Water Operator Certification or obtain certifications within two years. Salary is 45K/yr. DOE.  Excellent benefits including health insurance, KPERS retirement plan and PTO leave. Send application, resume and three work-related references to:  City of Anthony, P.O. Box 504, Anthony, KS.  67003.  Call 620-842-5434 for additional information.  Position is open until filled.  The City of Anthony is an EOE.